Gent's Unmissable Essentials

Ghent's historical core centers on the Lys River, featuring the Gravensteen, a 12th-century moated castle, and the medieval quays of Graslei and Korenlei. The city's architectural profile includes the Gothic Saint Nicholas' Church and Saint Michael's Church. Key landmarks include the Dulle Griet, a 15th-century wrought-iron cannon, and the Great Butchers Hall, a 15th-century covered meat market. Panoramic views are best captured from Saint Michael’s Bridge, which overlooks the city's concentrated ensemble of medieval and Renaissance architecture along the Kraanlei.